Digicel Group has announced the appointment of Rajeev Suri as chairman designate of the telecommunications and digital services conglomerate, which operates in 25 markets across the Caribbean and Central America.

Suri will replace Digicel founder Denis O’Brien at the helm after the complete implementation of the previously announced restructuring services agreement (RSA), which will see the Irishman losing his majority shareholding in the group. O’Brien will, however, continue to serve on the board of directors.

As part of the implementation of the RSA, a consortium of shareholders, led by US fund managers PGIM, Contrarian Capital Management, and GoldenTree Asset Management, will gain a controlling stake in the company. The incoming shareholders, in a joint statement, have described Suri as having “a proven track record of transformative delivery”.

They further noted that, considering Digicel’s strengthened balance sheet post-restructuring, they “see considerable potential to grow value and profitability at Digicel”.

In welcoming the chairman designate, O’Brien underscored that, “Given his impressive track record of delivery over 35 years, I know he will both add value and create value for all our stakeholders. He joins superb local teams across the Caribbean and Central America with whom it has been my privilege to work for over 25 years. He is the ideal leader to deliver on Digicel’s next phase of growth.”

Suri’s employment history in telecommunications includes a stint at Inmarsat — a British-based global mobile satellite communications services company — where he was chief executive officer from March 2021 until its acquisition by US communications company Viasat in May 2023. Before joining Inmarsat, he filled the dual role of president and chief executive officer of Nokia from 2014 to 2020, having also been the CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks since 2009.

While at Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks, Suri took a business valued approximately €1 billion and increased it to more than €25 billion, creating one of the top two global leaders in telecommunications network infrastructure. He also led the sector’s consolidation, improving the health of the company and the industry.

Commenting on his appointment, Suri thanked Gregory Cass, principal, PGIM; Pat Dyson, partner, GoldenTree Asset Management; Xiao Song, managing director, Contrarian Capital Management; Denis O’ Brien, Digicel’s founder; and all the other shareholders of the telecom provider for their welcome.

“Denis has built a fantastic company, with leading positions in the markets it serves. I look forward to getting on the road to meet our customers and employees and continuing to strengthen the company’s board and leadership team to take the company forward in this next chapter,” he shared.

Suri was also a commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission and served as chair of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA). In addition, he was co-chair of the digitalisation task force for the B20 and he was also a member of various digital and health-care committees at the World Economic Forum.

At present, he serves as a director of Stryker Corporation, Viasat, and Singtel. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communications and an honorary doctorate from Manipal University.